Synopsis

This study guide is part of the Beatitudes Series. It consists of six lessons that deal with the deep human longing for God, a hunger built into mankind at creation. The lessons are designed to help people develop healthy spiritual appetites and to fill their deepest longings in Christ.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Jim Plueddemann|Carol Plueddemann

About Jim Plueddemann

Dr. Jim Plueddemann is professor in the Mission and Evangelism Department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield Illinois. He teaches courses in areas of leadership and education.

Dr. Plueddemann earned his BA and MA in Christian Education from Wheaton College, and his PhD in Curriculum Research in Education from Michigan State University.

From 1967 until 1980 he and his wife, Carol, served in Nigeria as missionaries with SIM (then called, Sudan Interior Mission). During that time he was director of the Christian Education and Theological Education departments for the Evangelical Churches of West Africa.

From 1980 to 1993 he served on the faculty of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He traveled each summer in Africa, Europe, and South America to assist teachers and administrators of theological schools with curriculum design, creative teaching, and spiritual formation. He has an active and continuing interest in cross-cultural Christian education, leadership development, and theological education. Other areas of concern are team relationships, realistic future-oriented mission strategy, and especially prayer and revival.

Dr. Plueddemann served as the International Director of SIM (Serving in Mission) from 1993 until 2003. During these ten years, he and Carol traveled to 56 different countries to conduct vision seminars.

His latest book is Leading Across Cultures: Effective Ministry and Mission in the Global Church.

About Carol Plueddemann

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. ... They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.(Psalm 84:5,7)

Carol was born and raised in South America in a missionary home. For much of her life she has been on the mission field or involved in missionary support in Latin America, Nigeria, and the United States. Thirty of her first thirty-six years were spent associated with missionary activity, so she has a keen sense of the life missionaries and their children lead. Though not without its difficulties, Carol appreciates her time in missions and has come to see the blessing of being a pilgrim as a metaphor for her life. Carol received her baccalaureate degree in sociology from Wheaton College and also received a masters degree in Educational Ministries from Wheaton's Graduate School. Because of her years abroad she is fluent in Spanish, as well as conversational Hausa (West African trade language). From 1967 until 1980 Carol and her husband, Jim, served in Nigeria as missionaries with SIM (Serving in Mission). During this time Carol served as a curriculum writer, bible-study facilitator, and music teacher. The Plueddemann's association with SIM was reconnected in 1993 when Jim was selected as SIM's International Director. During this time Carol served as his Special Assistant with responsibilities as editor of SIM's in-house, bi-monthly newspaper, Intercom, assistant editor of SIMNOW magazine, and other administrative duties. She and Jim traveled to 56 countries holding seminars and encouraging team members. Alongside her work with SIM, Carol served on the Board of Trustees of Latin America Mission (1992-2000). Carol, a former editor for Harold Shaw Publishers, has written (or co-authored with Jim,) a number of books. Her special interests include small-group Bible studies and ministry with immigrants. Jim and Carol have two adult children and take great delight in spending time with their grandchildren.